In the San Juan Islands, over 90% of waterfront tax parcels are privately owned for residential purposes. Protecting habitat is the most efficient and effective way to support the marine environment. Partnering with Blue Coast Engineering, Northwest Straits Foundation, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program, Friends of the San Juans recently held three Shoreline Property Owner Workshops across Lopez, San Juan, and Orcas Islands, with over 100 participants. If you missed the workshop, no worries! Access the full recording and materials below, covering shoreline ecology, geology, vegetation, drainage, and habitat, and more!
Explore the crucial ecosystems that encompass over 400 miles of shoreline in San Juan County. Learn practical tips for managing waterfront properties for future generations.
Shoreline Property Owner Workshop
View the material from Friends‘ last workshop, helping landowners steward healthy shores.
Are you a shoreline property owner?
Learn how to safeguard your shoreline from the comfort of your own home! We’re here to guide you through shore-friendly property management options, such as practical tips for managing your waterfront property for future generations.
A big thank you to our partners, Blue Coast Engineering and Northwest Straits Foundation!
Take a deep dive with these resources!
- Learn more about Shore Friendly site visits and what Friends can do for you!
- Explore historic maps. Zoom in to find the map nearest you to see what your area looked like around 1900.
- Explore shoreline photos in the San Juans from 1970 to 2019. Note: zoom in on the map to find the site closest to you and then choose individual years or ‘compare years’ on the tool bar in the upper left to select the images to view.
- Resources for waterfront owners about vegetation, drainage and more
- Find a certified arborist
- Explore Washington State’s Shore Friendly Program
- Local shoreline development and permitting information
- Learn about Friends restoration projects
Funded wholly or in part by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Estuary & Salmon Recovery Program.
Join Friends for Community-Centered Action
Whether you live in the San Juan Islands, visit often, or help care for the Salish Sea from afar, your actions make a difference. Together, we can protect what makes this place extraordinary—shorelines, wildlife, and community.
